Cinnamon recalls issued due to elevated lead levels

Cinnamon recalls overview: 

• Who: El Chilar Rodriguez and Colonna Brothers recalled ground cinnamon products.
• Why: The products tested positive for elevated levels of lead.
• Where: The El Chilar Rodriguez recall is effective for products distributed in Maryland, while Colonna Brothers distributed across the United States.

El Chilar Rodriguez and Colonna Brothers recalled some of their ground cinnamon products after they tested positive for elevated levels of lead.

The recalls include 127 cases of El Chilar Ground Cinnamon Canela Molida, 1.5-ounce Marcum Ground Cinnamon jars and 2.25-ounce Supreme Tradition Ground Cinnamon jars.

The El Chilar Rodriguez announced its cinnamon recall after the Maryland Department of Health collected samples and the tests came back positive for elevated lead levels. The El Chilar Rodriguez lot codes are D300 EX1024 and F272 EX1026, which are stamped on the front side of the packaging.

Colonna Brothers announced its recall after the U.S. Food and Drug Administration tested the cinnamon and found elevated levels of lead. The 1.5-ounce Marcum Ground Cinnamon recall has lot codes 10DB and 0400B1, while the 2.25-ounce Supreme Tradition Ground Cinnamon has lot codes 09E8, 04E11, 12C2, 04ECB12, 08A, 04E5 and 09E20.

Short-term exposure to low lead levels may not result in symptoms, and increased lead levels in blood are often the only sign of lead exposure, which can impact every bodily system based on the duration of exposure and age or body weight, the recall says.

Lead exposure can lead to permanent nervous system damage in children and lead to learning disorders and developmental defects, the recall says.

Lead can also damage the brain or kidneys if too much is ingested and can interfere with red blood cell production, the cinnamon recalls state.

Colonna Brothers stopped cinnamon production, recall says

El Chilar Rodriguez and Colonna Brothers say they have not received reports of illness so far. The company is not facing legal action over the recall, but Top Class Actions follows recalls closely as they sometimes lead to class action lawsuits.

El Chilar Rodriguez customers should stop using the product immediately and return it to the place of purchase for a refund. They can reach the company at 407-880-6007 from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday-Friday.

Colonna Brothers voluntarily ceased cinnamon production and asks customers to stop using the product and return it to the place of purchase for a refund. They can reach the company at 201-864-1115 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET.

WanaBana recalled all lots of its WanaBana Apple Cinnamon Fruit Purée pouches in November 2023 due to reported elevated lead levels.

Are you affected by the cinnamon recalls? Let us know in the comments. 

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